Abstract: Kinetics of the oxidation of n-octanol by quaternary ammonium permanganate was investigated under homogeneous and heterogeneous (two liquid phase) conditions using the phase transfer technique. Quaternary ammonium salt, tri caprylyl methyl ammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) was used as the phase transfer catalyst. The oxidation reaction was found to follow first order with respect to each of the reactants, n4octanol and quaternary ammonium permanganate, resulting in an overall second order rate expression. The rate constants determined under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions agreed well. Tri caprylyl methyl ammonium chloride was proved to be more effective among the different phase transfer catalysts studied in the two liquid phase reaction and gave an enhancement factor of 7.